The Boat Race 1953

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The Boat Race 1953

The 99th Boat Race was held on 28 March 1953 on the River Thames, between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. Cambridge won by eight lengths in 19 minutes 54 seconds, their sixth victory in seven years, and they moved the overall record to Cambridge 54, Oxford 44.

Background
Oxford went into the race as the defending champions after winning in 1952, but Cambridge had the better overall record before the race (53 wins to Oxford’s 44). Cambridge were coached by James Crowden, David Jennens, Roy Meldrum and R. H. H. Symonds; Oxford’s coaches were A. J. M. Durand, Hugh Edwards, R. D. Hill and J. H. Page. The race was umpired by Gerald Ellison, a former Oxford rower. Queen Mary had died four days earlier, and flags and sentiments around the event carried a tone of respect.

Conditions and toss
Cambridge won the toss and chose the Surrey (south) bank, giving Oxford the Middlesex side of the river. The day featured a poor tide and a strong south-westerly wind, making conditions tough. Two rowers from the crews were non-British: Oxford’s A. J. Smith was Australian, and Cambridge’s Louis McCagg was American. Cambridge’s McCagg was noted by The Times as the outstanding oarsman in the Cambridge crew.

Crews
Oxford’s crew was on average about three pounds heavier per rower than Cambridge’s. Cambridge included returning rowers J. S. M. Jones (no. 2) and G. T. Marshall (no. 4). Cambridge also leaned on former Harvard rower Louis McCagg (Cambridge) as a standout talent; Oxford featured Australian A. J. Smith among its ranks.

Race summary
The start was at noon, with both crews beginning at about 36 strokes per minute. Cambridge quickly moved into a small lead, and as the boats passed Beverley Brook and Mile Post, Cambridge held a lead of about a length. Cambridge continued to extend their advantage in rough water, and by Chiswick Eyot they were clearly ahead. Oxford fought hard, but Cambridge pushed the gap to roughly 20 seconds by Barnes Bridge and finished the race eight lengths ahead. Cambridge’s time of 19 minutes 54 seconds was the fastest winning time since 1949, and the result was described as a spectacular reversal of form by The Times.

Aftermath
Cambridge’s win gave them six victories in the last seven races and increased their all-time lead in the series to 54–44. The race was seen as a strong performance by Cambridge in challenging conditions, capping a period of success for the Light Blues.